Britpop greats Oasis revealed on Tuesday what had been a secret for the past few days: they will reunite for a massive UK and Irish tour in 2025. Tickets are now available. The show will go on sale on August 31 and has been billed as “one of the biggest and most in-demand live music events of the decade.”
The concerts will take place at Cardiff Principality Stadium on 4th and 5th July 2025, at Manchester Heaton Park on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th July. At Wembley Stadium in London on 25th and 26th July and 2nd and 3rd August. At Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on 8th and 9th August and at Croke Park in Dublin on 16th and 17th August.
The band announced on their official website that they will be the only dates in Europe in 2025, although there will be concerts on other continents. And they posted these epic lyrics from Gallagher: “The guns have fallen silent. / The stars have aligned. / The great wait is over. / Come and see. / It won’t be televised.” (The guns have fallen silent. / The stars have aligned. / The great wait is over. / Come see it. / It won’t be televised.)
On social media and on screens after the Blossoms’ concert at Wythenshawe Park last Saturday, the announcement, written in the band’s characteristic typography, marked only one date (today) and one now: eight in the morning (one hour more on the peninsula). What the British press had already reported has come true: Oasis concerts at Wembley Stadium in London and Heaton Park in Manchester next year.
Liam Gallagher himself, unable to keep the secret, is said to have issued a sort of confirmation when responding to criticism from a Twitter user who thought Heaton Park was a “terrible” place to play concerts. “I’ll see you out front, you big git,” said the younger of the two brothers who scored most recently and are now in their fifties.
The announcement comes just two days before the company’s long-awaited 30th anniversary. Certainly maybe, August 29. The release of an anniversary edition of the band’s debut album includes previously unreleased versions from the early recording sessions, abandoned by the Creation label, and now mixed by Noel. Also included are outtakes from the final recording sessions. The album is released on August 30.
The event was celebrated with the publication of an interview with Noel – conducted by critic and musician John Robb at the Sifters record store in the band’s hometown (and which appears in his video Shaker manufacturer)– for the official Oasis YouTube channel in which he speaks of his brother in, for once, affectionate terms.
These are very symbolic dates for Oasis. The big disaster between the brothers happened on August 28th. Exactly 15 years ago minus a day. This summer of 2009, the band had just suffered the cancellation of their second performance at the V Festival on August 23rd; according to Liam, for suffering from laryngitis; according to Noel, his brother had a hangover. Liam sued Noel for defamation and demanded an apology. The truth is that there was a medical diagnosis, so Noel apologized and the lawsuit was dropped.
But five days later, Oasis were playing the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. A violent argument in the dressing room led to them throwing their instruments at each other; whatever the reason. They didn’t show up to play. Two hours later, Noel wrote on the band’s website: “It is with some sadness and great relief… I am leaving Oasis tonight. “People write and say what they want, but I simply could not continue working with Liam another day.”
Fifteen years and one day later, it seems that, definitely or maybe, she can continue working with Liam for at least one more day.
